Punk 57

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, substance use, sexual content, sexual harassment, and death.

The theme of staying true to one’s values, personality, and desires is heavily present throughout the novel. Douglas primarily develops this theme through the main characters, Misha and Ryen, and the way they use alternate identities and personas. Centrally, the narrative highlights Ryen’s internal struggle between her true self and the persona she presents to others, including Misha. This internal conflict emerges early in the novel, in Chapter 2, when Ryen’s descriptions of her life and friend group fail to align with her musings in her letter at the beginning of Chapter 1. However, as the novel progresses, Ryen starts to confront her identity through her interactions with Misha and his alternative identity, Masen Laurent. Through their developing relationship, Ryen ultimately learns the power of staying true to herself—a transformation Misha helps to facilitate. Thus, Douglas uses the two protagonists’ developing relationship to emphasize that embracing one’s authentic identity, regardless of societal pressures, is necessary for personal growth, emotional healing, and acceptance.  

Douglas uses a specific letter Ryen penned to establish how she initially presents herself to others. The opening letter in Chapter 1 is an old letter of Ryen’s that Misha rereads often.